 Poster: A snowHead
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@Hells Bells, my vredsteins an route. Not enough clearance for chains
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@holidayloverxx, not even the Maggi traks or K-summits?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@Hells Bells, no..the handbook says no chains on my size tyres. I could change the wheels but too late now.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@holidayloverxx that is exactly what the MAggi traks and the K-summits are designed for (and the Spike Spiders). They are not traditional chains.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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A friend got their 4x4 winters + spare steel wheels from a German site. Brilliant value. I can hunt down the link if anyone is interested. In addition these guys seem pretty good:
http://www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk
I think they may be a French outfit.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Hells Bells, Have the price on those come down ? They look a good system but were a bit pricey ?
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@Hells Bells, I'm not going against handbpok instructions in case of insurance issues
@AndAnotherThing.., my tyres are coming from Germany
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I got my winter tyres and rims a couple of years ago from Oponeo, they were excellent and took the time to check everything I had ordered was correct and they arrived really quickly.
OH now has invested in a big jack and so spends an hour or so a couple of times a year changing his tyres over, and mine too if he can be bothered - and he didn't this year - and then we store the other set in the loft of the garage.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Samerberg Sue, Having had 15cm of snow here in Belgium on the 27th I agree. Driving here is bad enough without snow. Just thankful for winter tyres and luck/prudence/expecting everyone to do the stupidest thing and seeing it unfold. I have been here a year and really like it, but none of my affections can be directed in any way towards the way people behave behind the wheel of a car.. I lived in Athens, Greece for a long time and it was less chaotic.
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Insurance Cover - Do you need to Notify?
For all of you happily accepting advice from retailers about what is OK to fit on your cars, it's worth double-checking against the Association of British Insurers (ABI) list of who doesn't and who does require notification of any change to wheels:
https://www.abi.org.uk/~/media/Files/Documents/Publications/Public/Migrated/Motor/ABI%20guide%20to%20winter%20tyres%20The%20motor%20insurance%20commitment.pdf
eSure, Sainsbury's (which is backed by eSure), Southern Rock, and Swiftcover all require you to notify them. Note also the comments about conforming to the manufacturer's wheel and tyre specifications, even if they don't require you to notify them. This makes HellsBells approach sensible - always check your Owner's Manual or with your garage to see if the wheels/tyres or chains you plan to fit are OK for your specific model and variant. In the case of my A3, my spec can take chains on 16" and 17" wheels, but not on the 18" wheels on my car.
Association of British Insurers (ABI) Statement
"Motor insurers recognise that some motorists may wish to fit winter tyres to their car during cold weather. Motor insurers recognise that, whilst no substitute for common sense driving, winter tyres can have a positive impact on improving road safety. To assist in reducing potential uncertainty, the ABI has produced a commitment setting out the position of a number of named motor insurers in respect of the impact on insurance premiums of fitting winter tyres to your car. It's important to check the list of insurers as some require that you inform them if winter tyres are fitted even though there is no effect on premiums or cover. The insurers named below [link above] do not require the payment of any additional premium if customers decide to fit winter tyres to their cars, provided that the tyres meet, and are fitted in accordance with, the relevant vehicle manufacturers' specifications and are in a roadworthy condition whilst in use."
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@msej449, jeebus. Brutush insurance companies should all be shot.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@under a new name, Its becoming madness.
It's getting to a point where even after market service items need to be declared in case they are 'performance upgrades'. Brake pads, dampers, exhausts all seem to fall into that category if you are not fitting original equipment parts.
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+1 on the insurance thing - few years ago but Churchill wanted to charge me £80 for swapping wheels on VW Sharan to VW supplied steel rims with winter tyres as it was a modification
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You know it makes sense.
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To be fair, on that list most insurers say it is not necessary to inform them or that there is any alteration to the cover.
@holidayloverxx, we're required to carry and use chains in France if instructed to do so. I assume you would therefore just have to stop your journey if you can't fit chains. Have yo asked a main dealer about this?
@AndAnotherThing.., looks like about a 30% discount on the Maggi ones on roofbox.co.uk depending on tyre size.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Hells Bells, only for tyres, not necessarily for wheels
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Poster: A snowHead
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Thanks to this and the Snowmeggedon thread, I am now the proud owner of 4 winter tyres for my new A3 sportback. Off on Saturday.
I spoke to Admiral this morning just to check all OK and they said it was a modification but no charge, so they just noted the change and told me to tell them when I change them back.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Hells Bells wrote: |
To be fair, on that list most insurers say it is not necessary to inform them or that there is any alteration to the cover.
@holidayloverxx, we're required to carry and use chains in France if instructed to do so. I assume you would therefore just have to stop your journey if you can't fit chains. Have yo asked a main dealer about this?
@AndAnotherThing.., looks like about a 30% discount on the Maggi ones on roofbox.co.uk depending on tyre size. |
Yes I would just stop the journey. My journey will be at the end of March, motorway all the way till I drop off about half a mile into flachau valley. I don't do any hairpin bends or steep mountain roads. I am required to have winter tyres or tyres with M&S (which I had on the previous car). I dont see that a dealer would advise differently to the manufacturers handbook.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| Quote: |
@Hells Bells, I'm not going against handbpok instructions in case of insurance issues
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that would be your car's warranty at risk not insurance
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@geeo, and uf the chains foul the ...whatever...and cause an accident?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@holidayloverxx, you could of course use Autosocks I suppose.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Hells Bells, I could, and I might but I would be truly amazed if I needed them. If I ever intend to drive to France, or above the valley, then all bets are off of course
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@holidayloverxx, I was just wondering if you were legally required to have them in Austria.
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@Hells Bells, rules according to the Austrian Tourist Info - but not quite the same in 2 different bits of the website:
"Mandatory Winter Equipment:
In winter conditions the use of four winter tires or snow chains on at least two tires is now mandatory in Austria between 1 November and 15 April."
and
"Driving in Winter
Between 1st November and 15th April of the following year drivers of private cars and goods vehicles up to 3.5t must be suitably equipped for winter conditions. That means that drivers using the roads in wintry conditions during this period must have winter tyres fitted. Drivers of goods vehicles over 3.5t and buses must comply with a winter tyres requirement. That means that the vehicle must always be fitted with winter tyres during the prescribed period, whether there is snow on the roads or not. This requirement applies to goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes from 1 November to 15 April and to buses from 1 November to 15 March. Find more information at www.bmvit.gv.at
Only persons over 18 years of age in possession of a valid driving licence may drive in Austria. The only exceptions to this rule are those under 17 years old who drive for practice reasons under supervision and have met the relevant legal requirements . When driving in Austria, you should always carry a full British licence, ownership documents and insurance details."
Apparently in some places chains are compulsory "which will be indicated by a round, blue sign depicting a car tyre and a chain. This sign means you must put on snow chains. The caption will indicate which vehicles that are excluded from this provision." . I've never seen such a sign, but then again I haven't driven very far away from my "bit" of Austria. Sue would know where these places are.
I guess I also take the risk of not carrying chains from Calais to Belgium and across Germany
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@holidayloverxx, we've never had to use our chains in 8 years of driving there , despite using mountain passes in snowy weather, although we have no restriction on having them on our car should we need to. I just wondered if the law differed from that in France.
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| Quote: |
@geeo, and uf the chains foul the ...whatever...and cause an accident?
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what if what if
what if you slip down the road and crash in to someone, do you think they might say you should have had chains on and deny your claim...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Just put my chains on for practise on the drive ready for trip soon. I've got good winter tyres too so hopefully won't need them 
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Regarding the ABI list, if you are with Direct Line, you do need to inform them about winter tyres as they are classed as a modification. I have pointed out to Direct line a couple of times that the ABI list says that they do not require notification but they never seem to do anything about it.
On the subject of dubious insurance practices, when ringing round for renewal quotes this year, I found out that while Tesco insurance don't charge for winter tyres, they do require notification, and as this as an amendment to the policy, they charge £20 for the privilege!
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| geeo wrote: |
| Quote: |
@geeo, and uf the chains foul the ...whatever...and cause an accident?
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what if what if
what if you slip down the road and crash in to someone, do you think they might say you should have had chains on and deny your claim... |
Roll your eyes as much as you like. My tyres won't take chains therefore I'm not using them. End of. The reality is that if there is do much snow thst needs chains as well as Vredstein winter tyres then I'm not driving anywhere.
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You know it makes sense.
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Well th chains arrived, just waiting for the tyres now.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| PollSki wrote: |
Regarding the ABI list, if you are with Direct Line, you do need to inform them about winter tyres as they are classed as a modification. I have pointed out to Direct line a couple of times that the ABI list says that they do not require notification but they never seem to do anything about it.
On the subject of dubious insurance practices, when ringing round for renewal quotes this year, I found out that while Tesco insurance don't charge for winter tyres, they do require notification, and as this as an amendment to the policy, they charge £20 for the privilege! |
You can fit any cheap, crappy Chinese 'summer' rubber you like and, apparently, the insurers are not interested despite such tyres giving frighteningly awful results in independent tests. I see no good reason that they should ever have shown such an interest in a car being fitted with specialist Winter tyres - as long as the tyres meet the speed & loading specs set by the car manufacturers. MAybe they can't tell the difference between wheels & tyres?
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Poster: A snowHead
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On this winter tyre/insurance issue I think you could do worse than check the handbook. Mine shows a tyre specification for winter tyres and I have fitted those. Surely no need to inform anyone that I have complied with the manufacturer's recommendation? They specify two tyres - one winter and one summer. Should I advise them when I fit summer tyres?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| DJL wrote: |
| On this winter tyre/insurance issue I think you could do worse than check the handbook. Mine shows a tyre specification for winter tyres and I have fitted those. Surely no need to inform anyone that I have complied with the manufacturer's recommendation? They specify two tyres - one winter and one summer. Should I advise them when I fit summer tyres? |
My point exactly. Your new car comes equipped with, say, Michelins which you replace after 3 years. The insurer doesn't require you to advise them that you have replaced the original tyres and they certainly don't get involved in what brand or quality of tyre you decide to fit.
You clearly need to fit tyres in accordance with the car manufacturer's specs (ie the handbook) and I assume all tyres sold in the UK are subject to minimum UK / EU standards (even the really cheap nasty ones!) - and that those standards apply equally to specialist 'winter' tyres. That being the case, I see no reason any insurer should ever have required notification of a change to (or from) winter tyres.
I think the notification requirement is really related to the change of wheels - and even that is now old hat. In days of yore, most cars had steel wheels as standard and some owners 'upgraded' by replacing those with after-market alloys, hence (possibly) enhancing the value of the car - that's what the insurers were interested in.
Nowadays, most cars have nice alloys from new so far fewer people buy replacements. And the idea that replacing your £150 alloys with £30 steel wheels in any way increases the value of the vehicle is clearly nonsense, as I believe most insurers now accept
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Getting anxious about tyres which seem to still be sitting in a depot in Germany where they have been since the 30th Dec.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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The Germans often change tyres twice a year and put a new set on winters on. This leads to massive supply of part worn winter tyres on the market and quite a few uk tyre fitters import them. I got a set of part worn winter tyres for my wife's 4x4 for £25 per tyre fitted. The tread on every tyre was like new.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Hells Bells wrote: |
| Getting anxious about tyres which seem to still be sitting in a depot in Germany where they have been since the 30th Dec. |
As the 2nd was between a holiday day and the weekend, there's a good chance that it was given as holiday too, so I wouldn't worry too much yet. Maybe give them a call Monday afternoon.
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| clarky999 wrote: |
| Hells Bells wrote: |
| Getting anxious about tyres which seem to still be sitting in a depot in Germany where they have been since the 30th Dec. |
As the 2nd was between a holiday day and the weekend, there's a good chance that it was given as holiday too, so I wouldn't worry too much yet. Maybe give them a call Monday afternoon. |
I've had the same issue. Ordered the wheel and tyre combo from mytyres.co.uk on the evening of Monday 29th December and they processed the order first thing on Tuesday 30th. Given the claims on the website of 2 - 6 working day delivery I expected the order to be dispatched either Tuesday or Wednesday. After no dispatch confirmation on 31st I phoned on the 2nd January and was assured they would be dispatched that day. They weren't. No confirmation on 5th so another call was made and another assurance given of imminent dispatch. Again nothing on the 6th so a further call was made. This time I told then if I didn't received dispatch confirmation by Wednesday at 11:00 I would cancel the order. I copied the directors in to an email on Tuesday evening restating my intention to cancel the order if no confirmation received by 11:00 on Wednesday. At c. 10:00 am I received an email with tracking numbers. 
The tracking showed they were collected and at 19:10 were in a depot in Lehrte (near Hamburg). The next track was at the DPB hub in Oldbury on Thursday night. At 16:40 today they were delivered.
I have only had a look at one and I'm pleasantly surprised. Some aftermarket wheels can look very cheap and chavvy but these look like quality rims.
First thing tomorrow I'm off to my in-laws farm to borrow a shed and a large trolley jack and get them changed over. Hopefully if the forecast is right I'll have some snow to try them in.
One final point; the Nokian WR A3 tyres only have a very small Snowflake symbol and it is difficult to find. They are also M&S labelled so I might give them a try out in a muddy field on the farm at some point.
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@Gaza, I've ordered though mytres. should have been delivered by yesterday. no idea if they have been as they go straight to the fitter. I have booked fitting for 24th Jan so I hop they are there when I get back on 17th (i'm flying this trip) I fnot I will follow your route @Gaza,
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@holidayloverxx - they should have sent you an email with tracking numbers. If not, you can get more info from their website by trying to log-in and get a password. The tracking link they give only seems to show major events but if you go to dpd.co.uk and enter the tracking number there it should show if they have been delivered. You may need to try all 4 numbers they give as each wheel/tyre is a separate item.
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Interesting thread this one. I always put winter tyres on my Merc GL every winter for general use and trips to the mountains. The difference in a heavy 4x4 is astonishing! I also have K Summit chains, because you can't fit standard chains on the car, which are so easy to use its amazing.
As for cost I bought spare wheels for £400 and second hand tyres with 6mm tread for £150 for four. All off ebay. I keep them on for four or five months and that's cheaper than the summer road tyres which are bigger. Interestingly the cars economy improves with winter tyres on it even though the rolling radius is slightly less.
I know it's not every year but I've had several trips driving through France when it starts snowing around Dijon and it doesn't stop!!
As for insurance I don't inform my insurer. There's so much evidence that using winter tyres is a very good idea that I'm confident they would not have a case in court if they described it as an uninsured modification. Common sense has to prevail. Why would I make the family car more dangerous!!!
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FAQ
